In Out and about we talk to people who currently live abroad, or who have lived and worked there, but are back in South Africa. We would love to hear from anyone who wants to share their experiences with us.

This week, we talk to Ladine Britz who lives in Newfoundland and Labrador, an island in Canada.

Hello Ladine Britz! Where in South Africa are you originally from and why did you decide to move to Canada last year?

My husband and I are both from Pretoria East and we lived in Moreleta Park. My husband is a pilot and worked for National Airways Corporation (NAC) for 14 years, of which he flew abroad for the greater part, from Afghanistan to the DRC. In the last four years of his career at NAC he flew an air ambulance which was very demanding. Unfortunately, Covid also closed the doors of many airlines and reduced pilots’ options. My husband was looking to change airlines and gain other experience, and so Canada came our way. Mind you, we arrived in Canada with four suitcases and our two dogs. The rest of our belongings and furniture were all left behind. We truly turned over a brand-new leaf.

Tell us more about your family.

My husband and I got married in 2018. With a few difficult years behind us, I became pregnant with our little girl who will soon be two years old. She is the centre of our universe and brings so much joy to our household. We love walking with our dogs and being outdoors weather permitting and, of course, to braai!

How did you experience the emigration process to Canada?

It was a very long and exhausting process but also very emotional and nerve-racking. We also did not use an agency to do the documentation and applications for us, and I had to keep a level head and persevere.

It can be challenging to adapt to a new country. What was the strangest thing for you to get used to abroad? What was the biggest adjustment for you abroad?

We left South Africa at the end of winter and arrived in Canada at the beginning of winter; it was terrible. The winters here are not for sissies. With temperatures as cold as -25 and hip-high snow, it took a lot of courage. I have been ready many times, in the time that we have been here, to get onto an aeroplane back to South Arica. At times you feel absolutely claustrophobic with the amount of snow around you.

You mentioned that you have a daughter. How old is she and how did she adapt to the new country?

Our little girl, who is almost two years old, also had a hard time in the beginning because we could not go outside much with the biting cold. It took a lot of creativity to do activities indoors without getting bored – a challenge with a toddler. She started daycare in January and soon after she was hospitalised with pneumonia. I can finally say that she is starting to enjoy daycare and adjusting to the weather conditions.

How does your daughter form or maintain a relationship with the grandparents?

I gained a new appreciation for technology! We talk to each other daily on WhatsApp and video call at least every weekend and every other time when the times match and time allows us. Videos, photos and voice notes are sent daily of new and special events. We often have to make space on our phones for more photos and videos!

How does the school system differ in Canada from that in South Africa?

I am not yet familiar with how the school system works here. What I do know is, when there are snow storms the schools remain closed until the snow storm is over, it is then called a snow day. Schools and most other businesses and institutions are closed and everyone is very happy to have a bonus rest day. I take my hat off to people who do have to work through snow days.

Tell is what kind of work you do and how the work culture in the country differs from that in South Africa?

My husband flies an air ambulance in Canada and I work for an organisation that offers programmes for pregnant women as well as for children from the age of 0 till 6 years. It is the complete opposite of what I did in South Africa, but I enjoy it and it is an opportunity for me to do new things and meet new people. I worked for the South African Medical Association in South Africa. Things can sometimes happen very slowly here and at times it takes a lot of patience, but the quality of life is also so different.

How does the cost of living and accommodation options in Newfoundland and Labrador compare to that in South Africa?

In general everything is expensiveand the biggest mistake that we still make is to convert everything to rand! Housing across Canada is a massive problem because it is so unbelievably expensive and it sometimes results in three families and maybe more trying to fit into one house.

Was Newfoundland and Labrador’s climate a huge adjustment?  

Among all, this still remains the biggest adjustment. We believe and trust that for now the snow is at an end and we have already had a few warmer days with daytime temperatures between 0 and 12 degrees. We have been joking and saying that anything from 0 degrees and up is hot! And then people are like ants swarming about outside, including us, who have complained all our lives when it was too hot!

How does the food in Canada differ from that in South Africa? Is shopping in Newfoundland and Labrador different compared to South Africa?

The majority of food that we buy in the shops here is the same as in South Africa, but also different … different tastes, flavours, packaging, etc. We are indeed very proudly South African when we see the grapes and other fruit from South Africa in Walmart, at a very high price. Because we live on an island, everything costs twice as much as in other parts of Canada and taxes are also much higher.

What do you do for recreation in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Due to the nature of my husband’s work, we have not had many opportunities to explore the island. We try to drive to other towns around us as much as possible, weather permitting. We look forward to a well-deserved, first break that is waiting for us around the corner!

What interesting things have you discovered about Newfoundland and Labrador that you did not know before?

Interesting facts about Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador:

• Newfoundland and Labrador has its own time zone. In summer, four and a half hours behind South African time, in winter and daylight saving, five and half hours behind South African time.
• Although Canada’s two main languages are English and French, Newfoundland is also rich in Irish history.
• The island also has the largest population of whales in North America, as well as bird species, including the Atlantic puffin!

Driving of vehicles and driver’s licences – how does it differ from South Africa? Do you own your own vehicle or do you make use of alternative transport?

We each got an international licence before we left South Africa, which is valid for one year. Doing your learner’s and driver’s licence here takes minutes compared to the process in South Africa. Having to get used to driving on the right-hand side of the road was a challenge in itself and you have to keep your wits about you. I often find myself wanting to get in on the left side of the car. We have our own vehicle, but there are also taxi service providers here that people can use.

Are there any truly South Africa shops where you can find comfort food like biltong?

Unfortunately not here on the island where we live, but in other parts of Canada. You can also order certain South African products through Amazon, at a substantial amount. We try to make traditional South African dishes with what we have available here. But nothing will ever taste like my mom’s mealie tart or my dad’s grilled lamb chops or my gran’s sweet dumplings.  

Are there any professional service providers (for example doctors, lawyers and dentists) where you live who can help you in Afrikaans?

So many people have told us about the mysterious Dr Van Heerden who is from South Africa and now lives in Gander (the town where we live), but have not met in person. Van Heerden is my maiden name. Who knows, maybe we are distantly related!

What do you miss most about South Africa? What is the one thing that you wished you could have packed in your bag when you emigrated?

I miss “home”. The feeling of closeness to my parents, grandmother, brother, family. The unplanned, but yet established Sunday meals at my parent’s house. No arrangements were made, we just know, the Sunday meal is at my parent’s house, usually a braai. There were seldom times that my mom cooked inside the house, and when she did, you wondered if something might be wrong.

Any lessons you learned?

I know with my all my heart that we as a family are here for a greater purpose, but still you are aware every day that the ground under your feet is not “yours”. Everyone says, “in time” it will also be your “home”, but I am still far from it. The grass is not always greener on the other side! Canada has just as many challenges and believe it or not … potholes too!

Is there anything else that you want to share with us?

I am aware every day that we are truly blessed and privileged that this opportunity came our way. It does not fall into someone’s lap every day, but with the opportunity also comes a very heavy sadness, a sense of mourning, an intense longing for your people, your country, your culture that often overwhelms you, and then sometimes a feeling of loneliness. Everybody goes on with their day and there are some that “forget” about you. So every advantage has its disadvantage, but we take on each day with a grateful mind and heart. Some days are harder than others but we work towards a goal and hope to visit South Africa soon and to hopefully show my grandfather and grandmother our “new” life as well. Who knows, should an opportunity to move back to South Africa come our way, definitely! At least for now I can still watch Suidooster and Binnelanders and I do not miss it for anything! Regards from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador  

Write to us

Do you live abroad, or have you recently returned from abroad? You can also write an Out and about column. Send an email to wereldwyd@afriforum.co.za and we will send you questions to answer.